Classic Bollywood Horror Film to Screen on Sunday

Join the South Asian Arts Council as they welcome the Halloween season by bringing back the classic Bollywood Horror film Nagina on Sunday, Oct. 6 at 1pm. The screening takes place at the Bright Family Screening Room, Emerson/Paramount Center in Boston.

Released in 1986, "Nagina" turned out to be the second biggest blockbuster of the year and turned its lead actress, Sridevi, into "the undisputed No.1’ star in India, according to Box Office India.

According to Wikipedia, ’Nagina’ "was the first women-centric film of actress Sridevi and the film became a huge hit and was second highest grosser of that year. Due to a female oriented movie and a commercial hit as well as terrific performance by the lead actress, the film established Sridevi as a Superstar in Hindi Cinema. The song ’Main Teri Dushman’ became a huge hit and is said to be the best Snake Dance to date in Bollywood."

Produced and directed by Harmesh Malhotra, written by Jagmohan Kapoor, "Nagina" has also been named one of the ’Top 10 Snake Films of Hindi Cinema.’ (’Snake Films’ are an Indian horror genre.)

Sridevi’s climax dance number ’Main Teri Dushman’ also remains one of the best snake dances in Bollywood with Desi Hits calling it "one of Sridevi’s most iconic dance numbers...that still gives fans goose bumps." iDiva describes it as "the stuff of movie legends."

The film’s plot concerns Rajiv, an Indian man, whose mother wants him to marry a wealthy neighbor’s daughter. But Rajiv is in love with Rajni, an orphan with no family background. Rajiv’s mother initially opposes his desire to marry Rajni, but accepts it after meeting her. The couple lives harmoniously for quite some time, but with the arrival of a stranger with a dangerous secret, Rajni’s true identity is revealed.

"Nagina" is the second film shown by the South Asian Arts Council and ArtsEmerson as part of the monthly Samosas and Chai series.